Latin, the forgotten language! Many people don't think much about Latin when thinking of languages around the world and I don't know why. Latin is a beautiful language and has many wonderful phrases that you could apply to your everyday life. From Latin phrases about love to BA Latin phrases to use for your enemies and even funny Latin phrases, this list of the greatest Latin phrases on the web will surely not disappoint you. Let's look (and learn) a few:
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MOST Common Latin Phrases
- Carpe Diem: "Seize the day!" Everyone knows this one. :)
- Alea iacta est: "The die is cast." (Julius Caesar)
- Ad astra per aspera: "Through adversity to the stars." I mean really, how deep is this one?!
- Veni vidi vici: "I came. I saw. I conquered."
- Veritas et aequitas: "Truth and equity."
- Caveat emptor: "Let the buyer beware."
- Nemo Sine Vitio Est: "No one is without fault." Meaning no one is perfect.
- Bona Fide: "For good."
- Scientia ipsa potentia est.: "Knowledge is power."
- Veto: "I forbid." Bet ya didn't think this common word was Latin!
- Ad nauseam: Talking about the same thing to the point of nausea; wearing a topic out.
Oh, and let's not forget Amor Vincit Omnia, which translates to "Love conquers all." How romantically classic, right? It's the perfect quote to throw out there when you want to sound wise but also keep the mood light. Plus, there's Tempus fugit, meaning "Time flies." Isn't it just spot on for those moments when you're having too much fun? And when you're about to embark on a brand new adventure, you can't go wrong with the encouraging Fortes fortuna adiuvat: "Fortune favors the brave." So go ahead, dazzle with these snippets of ancient wisdom that still totally hold up today!
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Cool Latin Phrases
- Acta non verba: "Deeds not words."
- Condemnant quo non intellegunt: "They condemn that for which they do not understand."
- Audentes fortuna iuvat: "Fortune favors the bold."
- Audere est facere: "To dare is to do."
- Nec temere nec timide: "Neither reckless nor timid."
- Non loqui sed facere: "Not talk but action."
- Non progredi est regredi: "To not go forward is to go backward."
- Bono malum superate: "Overcome evil with good."
- Non sum qualis eram: "I am not such as I was." Meaning you're not who you once were.
- Per angusta ad augusta: "Through difficulties to greatness."
- Semper anticus: "Always forward.
- Sic parvis magna: "Greatness from small things."
- Ad infinitum: "To infinity."
These timeless Latin sayings carry profound wisdom that transcends ages. When you utter "Veni, vidi, vici", you don't just recount Julius Caesar’s famous words, “I came, I saw, I conquered”, but you also conjure the spirit of achieving swift victories. The phrase "Carpe diem"—“Seize the day”—encourages you to embrace the present with vigor, while "Amor vincit omnia" reminds us that “Love conquers all” in matters of the heart. Harness the age-old sagacity of these expressions and let them reflect your own insightful and cultured persona.
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Funny Latin Phrases
- Carpe vinum: "Seize the wine." Need I say more?!
- In Vino Veritas: "Truth in wine."
- Aqua vitae: "Water of life." Was used to describe whiskey, gin, and brandy.
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Badass Latin Phrases
- Acta deos numquam mortalia fallunt: "Mortal actions never deceive the Gods."
- Aquila non capit muscas: "The eagle does not catch flies." Meaning you don't do petty.
- Dulce periculum: "Danger is sweet."
- Factum fieri infectum non potest: "It is impossible for a deed to be undone." Meaning you don't give second chances.
- Aut viam inveniam aut faciam: "I will either find a way or make one." HOW EMPOWERING!?
- Barba tenus sapientes: "As wise as far as the beard." Meaning appearances aren't everything with wisdom.
- Lupus non timet canem latrantem: "A wolf is not afraid of a barking dog."
- Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt: "Men generally believe what they want to." Meaning you can't change people's opinions; they'll think what they want.
- Exitus Acta Probat: "The result justifies the deed."
- Cogito ergo sum: "I think therefore I am."
- Creatio ex nihilo: "Creation out of nothing." Meaning make your own because you can!
- Fortis in arduis: "Strong in difficulties."
- In omnia paratus: "Ready for anything."
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Latin Phrases about Love
- Amore et melle et felle es fecundissimus: "Love is rich with honey and venom."
- Amor Vincit Omnia: "Love conquers all."
- Ex animo: "From the heart."
- Si vales, valeo: "When you are strong, I am strong."
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If you have a harem of 40 women, you never get to know any of them very well.
Latin Phrases about Death
- Vixere: "They lived."
- Vivamus, Moriendum Est: "Let us live since we must die."
- Disce quasi semper victurus vive quasi cras moriturus: "Learn as if you’re always going to live; live as if tomorrow you’re going to die."
- Memento mori: "Remember that you will die." Meaning live life to its fullest.
- Requiescat in pace: "Let him rest in peace." Or as we know, RIP
- Sum quod eris: "I am what you will be." Used as a gravestone inscription to remind those alive that death in inevitable.
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Latin Phrases about Life
- Qui totum vult totum perdit: "He who wants everything loses everything."
- Memento vivere: "Remember to live."
- Non ducor duco: "I am not led, I lead."
- Faber est suae quisque fortunae: "Every man is the artisan of his own fortune."
- Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo: "If I cannot move Heaven, I will raise Hell." Meaning be strong and take life by the horns!
- Ad meliora: "Toward better things."
- In absentia lucis, Tenebrae vincunt: "In the absence of light, dark prevails."
- De omnibus dubitandum: "Be suspicious of everything."
- Ars longa, vita brevis: "Art is long, life is short."
- Nullum magnum ingenium sine mixture dementia fuit: "There has been no great wisdom without an element of madness."
- Creo quia absurdum est: "I believe because it is absurd."
- Carpe Noctem: "Seize the night."
- Ex nihilo nihil fit: "Nothing comes from nothing."
- Memores acti prudentes future: "Mindful of what has been done, aware of what will be." Meaning think before you act.
- Omnium Rerum Principia Parva Sunt: "The beginnings of all things are small."
- Ad honorem: "For honor." Short and sweet.
- Vivere est vincere: "To live is to conquer."
- Vivere militare est: "To live is to fight."
- Bono malum superate: "Overcome evil with good."
While I know this isn't nearly all the Latin phrases ever uttered, these are a some of my favorite that I've found. What famous Latin phrases do you know?
